I don't like frogs...

Last night I had what my house mates, Amber and Lacey, would call a TIM (This Is Missions) moment. As I was walking to our kitchen to get some water (in complete darkness and barefoot by the way) I preceded to get attacked by a frog…at least it felt that way. I can take snakes and large animals of any kind but slimy, hopping, smallish bugs/insects/amphibians and I do not get along. So after taking a few deep breaths and holding in a scream in order to not wake the 4 girls that arrived yesterday, (I was not going to let their first impression of me to be "this girl can't even handle a little frog") I went and got Lacey to come take care of it. We spent the next few minutes dancing around our living room at midnight trying to catch this frog in a cup. In the end the frog was set free and lived happily ever after doing whatever it is frogs do…that is unless it makes its way back into my house.

The trip down to Paraguay was long but went rather smoothly with no complications. Customs, being the most dreaded and worrisome part of the trip, was actually a breeze and the least confusing and complicated thing all day. After being picked up from the airport by Shaun and Sara we made our way to the town of Itagua, about 20 minutes outside of Asuncion, where Serving Paraguay resides. Immediately upon arriving everything reminded me of Costa Rica. I continue to realize more and more each day how having lived their for ten months when I was 14 is so helpful. The culture shock is still there in some ways, but really it just brings back great memories of CR.

The people of Paraguay and Hogar El Camino are amazing. These kids are so beautiful. It's neat how their individual personalities shine through even with me not having a clue what they're saying 60% of the time haha. I will begin teaching Pre-K through 6th grade English with Amber on Wednesday and then in about 2 weeks I'll be on my own. It's going to be a challenge but I'm excited :). I feel so blessed to be here and blessed by these kids. God's pretty awesome :).

On Thursday they celebrated their national holiday "Dia de la Familia." We went to the school, Tape Pyahu, and played games with the kids, ate hamburgers, and watched them sing and perform their traditional Paraguayan partner dance. Later that night was rough. One of my fears about this journey is something tragic occurring at home and me being so far away. My friends Chris and Ethan were in a terrible car accident on their way home from church camp. I grew up playing with Chris and Ethan since I was about 5 years old. I vividly remember countless nights playing "hide and go seek" and "cops and robbers" till we were told it was too late and time to go to bed. Well, Chris passed away and Ethan is in critical condition with a long road of recovery ahead of him. I'm thankful I was able to see and talk to Ethan the day before I left. It was the first conversation we had had in a very long time. God works in such mysterious ways. Chris will be greatly missed. Please keep Ethan and the family in your prayers.

My dad's love for Proverbs and Psalms has worn off on me over the years. One of my favorite verses has always been Proverbs 3:5-6; a verse I continue to fall back on in times of need and comfort.
     "Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
          And lean not on your own understanding;
       In all your ways acknowledge Him, 
          And He shall direct your paths." 

P.S. As I was typing this last sentence, I managed to catch the microwave on fire. (Ironically something I did with our toaster when I lived in CR.) So yeah I think I'm making a big impact… 

P.P.S. No one was hurt and the house did not burn down. Praise the Lord.

                                                                                                                               ~Aubree

Game time. 

Amber and some students doing the traditional Paraguayan partner dance. 

Belen, the youngest child in Hogar El Camino.  

Araceli